CP’s efficiency focus is a big plus

Article Excerpt

CP’s stock hit a new all-time high of $270 in August 2018. Even so, we think it still has more gains ahead. The company continues to upgrade its operations, including a big investment in new grain railcars. Those investments will help it cope with rising fuel costs and bad weather. As well, new contracts with its major unions cut the risk of labour disruptions. While the possibility of more U.S. tariffs on Canadian products adds risk, exports of steel and forest products account for just 2% of CP’s business. As well, exports of finished automobiles from Canada to the U.S. supply just 3% of its revenue. CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY LTD. $263 (Toronto symbol CP; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 142.5 million; Market cap: $37.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 5.6; Dividend yield: 1.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.cpr.ca) transports freight over a 22,000-kilometre rail network between Montreal and Vancouver, and to hubs in the U.S. Midwest and Northeast. Shipping bulk commodities such as grain,…